Gwen and I began exchanging phone calls several years ago after my mother (her sister) passed. Our chats helped us both while processing Mom’s death but then continued because she wanted to know what was going on in our lives.
Gwen was always so interested in hearing about our children and grandchildren. We exchanged information on what was going on in my life and hers - who was graduating from university, who was getting married next and who was having a baby, but she did not want to know the gender prior to the birth - she wanted the surprise.
Al and I started making a side trip to Calgary for a visit on our trips from Edmonton to Canmore. We would chat for awhile and then move to the kitchen for tea. Tea was always made in a china teapot, our plates and cups were always served on one of her 3 china patterns and the milk for Al’s tea was always served in a china creamer - never from the milk carton from the fridge!!
Invariably, she had spent time in the kitchen preparing treats for us. We enjoyed date squares, blueberry crumble, pumpkin bread and, of course, her oat squares.
Gwen loved it when we had pictures to show her of our grandsons, Tyler’s wedding or photos from a holiday.
She would make sure to call prior to a trip we were taking to wish us well and to have a fun trip - how she kept track of those dates was truly amazing.
Brian, Roger, Carolyn and LLoyd, your mom was a wonderful, amazing, delightful lady. I know you know that, but it bears repeating.
She will be greatly missed. I feel so lucky to have spent the time with her I did. I wish it had been more.
